Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/618165
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 20 DECEMBER 2015 3 JAMES DEBONO "IT is truly worrying that a vast majority does not have a sound idea of the common good," an ex- aminer's report about last May's religious studies at 'O' level says. The "common good" became a central concept of Catholic social teaching, beginning with the document Rerum Novarum, a papal encyclical by Pope Leo XIII issued in 1891, which criti- cised laissez-faire capitalism and insisted on the role of the state to ensure a living wage for workers. The concept also features in the latest papal encyclical, Laudatum Si, which turns environmental protection into a moral imperta- tive. But replies to a question asked in last May's religion 'O' level test reveals that this concept remains a mystery to most Maltese stu- dents. According to the report only "a handful" gave a correct defini- tion of the common good – some candidates even stated that the common good refers to the basic needs of the person. On the other hand candidates were keen to give new social rel- evance to the story of the Good Samaritan. Most of the answers referred to irregular immigrants or people of different skin colour. "While it is laudable that the younger gen- eration is aware of the deprived in society, few realise that these could also be the people clos- est to them, school mates, peers, family members, and neighbours among others". A report on the performance of older students sitting for reli- gion at an intermediate level also shows students expressing ex- tremely conservative views when asked about the meaning of the affirmation 'Outside the Church there is no salvation'. According to the report most answers to this question demon- strated a lack of understanding of God's will for the universal salva- tion of mankind. Most candidates answered by saying that being an integral part of the Catholic Church is a pre- requisite for salvation. A consid- erable number of candidates also expressed their belief that the Catholic religion is superior to all the others. However, there were other can- didates who correctly wrote that those who through no fault of their own do not know Christ's Gospel and his Church but sin- cerely seek God, "can still attain eternal salvation through God's grace". A large number of students do not even understand the mean- ing of the term 'human dignity', another commonly used phrase in church documents. When asked what is the root of human dig- nity most candidates understood the question to be referring to the roots of sin and evil, thus saying that these were jealousy, disobe- dience and excessive pride that leads one to believe one can lead an independent life from God. Few candidates referred to the dignity of the human person that is rooted in his or her creation in the image and likeness of God. The report concludes that some candidates seemed to be quite pre- pared for the exam and must have studied well but many were simply memorizing notes. "It is quite disappointing to note the lack of candidates' skills in evaluating, analyzing and applying what they have learnt to different contexts," the report says. Some students even demonstrated a "low level of maturity", in the sense that they study in a mechanical way, without really reflecting upon and assimilating what they would have covered in the syllabus. jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt News Christmas Christmas love ELC early learning centre www.elctoysmalta.com 193, Merchant Street, Valletta – Tel: 21236228 • 61, St Paul Street, Rabat – Tel: 21456385 • Triq Fortunato Mizzi, Victoria – Tel: 21560157 Free christmas wrapping & Free delivery* * Terms and conditions apply Youths out of touch with 'common good' Most candidates said being an integral part of the Catholic Church is a prerequisite for salvation. A considerable number also expressed their belief that the Catholic religion is superior to all the others. Religious examiners say youths lack understanding of new mysteries of the faith, such as 'common good, human dignity and universal salvation'